Achieving a happy relationship can be easier than you think—despite the obstacles presented by HIV.

If the news that having a partner can boost your health makes you wonder, “How will I ever find someone to love me with my HIV?” stop stressing. Though isolation and stigma—not to mention the challenges of facing ongoing health concerns and navigating how and when to disclose your status—can be obstacles, they are not closed doors. Many HIV-positive people, both gay and straight, have overcome them. Just ask Bonetta Graves.

Graves remembers the first time she met her dream man, William Spratley, in their hometown of Hopewell, Virginia. “I loved his maturity and experience,” says Graves, 42, now a medical case manager in Manning, South Carolina. “I’ve always had an old soul.”

But at that time, 1987, Graves was anything but old: She had just turned 18—and Spratley was 38. “My parents disapproved,” she says. “But I was headstrong.” Moreover, both she and Spratley were doing crack—in fact, they first met when Spratley’s nephew brought Graves by Spratley’s place on a drug run. “I was wild in my youth,” admits Graves, who kicked drugs more than a decade ago.

Their romance was short-lived: In 1989, Spratley went to prison on a drug-related charge of violence. After visiting him there a few times, Graves told him, “I can’t wait around for you.” A year later, Graves, working in the federal Job Corps in Maryland, learned she had HIV. “I cried for three days,” she says. She told Spratley, but he waited years to be tested, fearing a positive diagnosis would stigmatize him in prison. Eventually he got tested—and it was negative. Graves had gotten HIV from someone else.

The following years were not kind to Graves. She became seriously ill with pneumonia in 1991, recovered and continued doing drugs on and off. At a rehab program, she met an HIV-negative man. They married and had two (HIV-negative) girls, now 14 and 11. The couple also kept doing drugs—and then he started abusing her. “There were stitches, broken ribs,” she recalls. But because he was the breadwinner and accepted her despite her HIV, she stayed with him. “I felt like I had to because he was ‘taking care’ of me.” Her self-esteem was low—because of her drug habit, she says, not just HIV. “I hadn’t done anything with my life, so I was timid when it came to relationships. My HIV [didn’t help].”

Graves kicked drugs for good after her mother died in 1999. “I had two kids, and I was tired of all the drama. I was ready to move on, but he would never leave,” Graves says. Finally, in 2005 the couple decided to divorce.

A new chapter loomed. “I was elated but scared, because I had to raise two girls on my own,” she says. “But I vowed I wouldn’t get with a new man just because he had money and looked good.” Then she heard that Spratley was out of prison, where he’d been drug-free since 1994 and had become a legal advocate to other prisoners. Graves ventured introducing her girls to him. “He hugged them and opened his heart to them,” she says, “and honey, after that, it was on.”

Just like that? Graves said that the fast reunion felt right, like they were picking up naturally where they’d left off years before. “It was like the missing piece of the puzzle,” she says. “Plus, he was gentle. There was no arguing.”

Six years later and drug-free, Graves and Spratley seem to have found the clarity of mind to do things right this time around. They’ll marry next year. Saturdays, Spratley takes the girls to the library, and the whole family loves to thrift shop and fly kites together, a special hobby of Spratley’s.

Graves has advice for other HIV-positive folks looking for love. “Don’t ignore red flags,” she says—such as early indications of violence. “Hang in there looking for [the right] love, because you never know when the tables will turn.” Graves says full, honest communication is what’s allowing her and Spratley to succeed this time. Spratley agrees: “She doesn’t let me run from things,” he laughs. “There’s no woman more perfect for me.”

HOW TO: MEET YOUR MATE

Advice From the ExpertsShantrell Jackson, cybercenter associate at Atlanta’s SisterLove, HIV-positive coordinator of its Dating and Disclosure workshop:

“If you want others to be OK with your HIV, you have to be OK with it. Support groups really helped me.

“Don’t settle because of HIV. Date someone you see yourself being with.

“I don’t disclose my HIV right away. That’s too serious, too soon. When I do, I do it in a public place where I feel safe and secure.” If they reject you? “You don’t want to be with someone who’s not comfortable with all of you. But don’t necessarily expect them to be OK with it right off the bat.

“To make it work long-term, you need honest communication, even if that means couples counseling.”

“Take the time you need to disclose—you’ll know when you’re ready. Experiment with both telling up front and waiting a little. Just [don’t] do anything unethical or unsafe [like having unprotected risky sex without disclosing].

“Give people time to adjust to your HIV. Some people will say, ‘It’s fine,’ and you’ll never hear from them again. But others take a little time, then, a few months later, it’s no biggie.”

Positive Women Share Secrets to Their Success Tonya Rasberry, peer counselor, Auburn, Washington, has been with her HIV-negative partner for a few months:

“You can learn to achieve good communication by really listening, putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. I am learning to do that in my new relationship, and I’ve never been happier.”

Shana Cozad, HIV prevention educator, Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been with her HIV-negative partner “since the dawn of time”:

“Be super-duper open and honest. A sense of humor goes a long way, too.

“Sex can be intimidating. Don’t expect it to be all fireworks and trumpets [at first]. Just be fine that they aren’t totally panicking.

“Someone who scorns or shames you about having HIV is a huge no-no. I don’t care how many margaritas they’d had or if they say they’re sorry.”

Andrea Harrington, HIV prevention specialist, Philadelphia, has been married to her HIV-positive partner for six years:

“Never be ashamed because you’re positive. I thought HIV made me damaged goods, not worthy of love. But being HIV-positive did not mean I had to settle for substandard. I [waited] until my prince came, willing and accepting of all of me. My husband and I found each other while basking in the light of a newly found independence called self-worth.

“To make it work, you must be open with each other. Secrets are for the Colonel’s chicken recipe.”

Find a Friend or Date OnlineThe largest online HIV match-up service—for love or friendship—is POZ Personals, with more than 125,000 members and a new, easy-to-use design. Sign up for a free or premium account at personals.poz.com.

Some tips for using POZ Personals:

Post a clear photo of yourself. Profiles with photos get more attention. Avoid dark sunglasses, hats, strange lighting and poses.

Go casual and be sure to smile.

Be honest. Say who you really are and be clear about what you’re really looking for.

Let your personality shine through. The more info you provide in your profile, the more likely someone will find something in common with you and strike up a conversation.

(Note: The POZ team reviews all comments before they are posted. Please do not include either ":" or "@" in your comment. The opinions expressed by people providing comments are theirs alone. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smart + Strong, which is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by people providing comments.)

Austin, Baltimore, 2011-09-14 02:56:58
I loved this article! Honesty, openness & love are my cures for HIV. Recently diagnosed in April, I began meds in June & am testing undetectable! Joining a support group and therapy have been important parts to my treatment. Self-worth is an area I am working on. Being open and honest within ALL aspects of my life, from my job, to school, to my f&f have opened up doors I never thought possible when diagnosed. Dating has proven fruitful when I am open and honest; at very least, I can educate.

Patty, San Diego, 2011-09-13 20:48:08
So many stories so different that we could have around here, each has its beginning, its negation, its acceptance as when someone or something dies and is reborn in us. Personally my life without HIV was hard to find love, now with this illness I cut the chance of finding a real relationship. It hurts to accept that hardly anyone will want to kiss me, touch me and get to the intimacy with me. I have goals in life, work and family but in love is where a big wall and it really hurts.

Queen, , 2011-09-12 14:44:00
Mark, I have to say that you are wrong, women are not more stigmatizing. My friend had HIV for years and I am going to tell you, I always went to the hospital with him, and I had suspected but I was waiting to hear him say it. He actually told me something like this, " I took an HIV test, it came out negative, postitive then negative again. It took a year for him to show me his positive results. What would have happened if I would have agreed to have sex with him? Think about that.

etexman020202, Marshall, Tx, 2011-09-12 11:55:16
After a year of dating on poz, I have deleted my profile. A plethora of people who want a relationship after all these years and haven't a clue as to what that really entails. An idealism, a naivete...an immediate need to control. Immediate dysfunction as underlying neurosis is exposed. Self-centered behavior based on a low self worth. This doesn't make for that fantasy relationship. So I walk alone once again, but I have become my own best friend, so I am good...for now...

Linda Fowler, pittsburgh, 2011-09-11 14:55:42
Thanks for your stories, i been only dating poz guys, and not find anything in common except we are positive. i have been afraid to date other guys, but after reading the stories i am going to give it a try.

Brad Fowler, Universal, 2011-09-09 00:13:26
This is a remarkable story! Unfortunately, due to the lack of disclosure many living with HIV are not as fortunate. This is why disclosure is necessary in order to find a companion that can help us overcome our challeges of being infected.
Not to mention, this is a another reason why I developed Positive Light for Positive Living HIV Disclosure Mission, a nonprofit organization designed to encourage disclosure by the relinquishing of fear. Please, disclose; it may very well help stop stigma.

Merle, JOHANNESBURG, 2011-09-08 15:25:16
Giving me hope GRAVES ive been poz for 14 yrs. It really is most lonely when you are sick.

mark, , 2011-09-02 23:27:05
you will never hear this type of story btwn a poz man and a negative woman,never,ever,ever.women are so much more stigmatizing than men,21 years and i've been alone the entire time,turned down countless times.sigh

carolyn mitchell, macon,georgia, 2011-09-01 22:02:39
iam 64 years old i been poz 14yr.and can,nt found any one poz personal igo on there every night.i get so loney some time and i have friends but they don,nt understand about this situation.

JUAN RODRIGUEZ, EL PASO, 2011-08-31 14:36:09
I diagnosed in Sept of 2009. I know its recent but since then i have completely withdrawn from society. I often feel like a prisoner in my own home. Family is somewhat supportive only one of my friends know about it. He distance himself after i told him. Because of the virus I had CMV Retinitis and I am partially blind and unable to work or drive. Disability has been denied on several occasions. I have existed with the virus for some time now, but i feel i stopped living that Sept day i

Bonetta, , 2011-08-24 12:36:06
WOW!!! I have gotten SOOOO many great responses from this article near and far!! This is the UP side of disclosure the big ugly STIGMA monster doesn't show you. How OUR stories, no matter how weird we think they are, actually help others. WE ARE NOT ALONE!!! THANKS for the encouraging responses

LaVonda, Sumter, 2011-08-24 10:35:03
It was a pleasure to read this Bonetta's co-workers eagerly awaited to read this article and was elated to that your past does not dictate your future. She is doing a great job as an AIDS advocate by helping other women who are trying to find love that doesn't hurt. Both people are beautiful inside and out.

teresa davis, lugoff, 2011-08-23 15:40:13
This was one of the most romantic love stories. I was really touched.

Patricia M, charlotte, 2011-08-19 16:42:22
Reading this article makes me want and relationship, 21 years positive I am out already abou my status but there are still some out there who will pretend and all thewhile looking to hurt you. Myhat off to Graves for finding love, i just do not think i can go through the hassle anymore.Yes it gets lonely, but after 12 years of no relationship i just do not know.

Kevin Johnson, Sumter, 2011-08-19 12:32:16
I really enjoyed reading this story about such a lovely couple. It just makes the point that living with HIV cannot stop Love. When two people love each other and put GOD in the mix, it is just so wonderful. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story.